Prosecutor Took Trips Now Under Scrutiny In Broussard Case

Letten: Attorney Unaware Funds Were Misdirected

A high-level member of the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans was one of dozens of people on a Lake Tahoe ski trip that prosecutors now describe as an illegal fundraiser for former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard.

Fred Harper is the deputy chief of the criminal division of the office, which is led by U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. He acknowledges making the trip about 10 years ago, but denies any knowledge that the outing -- an annual event -- was, in fact, a political money-maker.

In court documents unsealed Thursday afternoon, Letten and his team characterized the Broussard venture as a criminal act. The disclosure was detailed in the plea agreement of former Jefferson Parish Chief Administrative Officer Tim Whitmer.

Prosecutors noted, in the documents, that Broussard "would have 'fundraisers' in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and would use these 'fundraisers' as the mechanism to pay for the trip."

Broussard's attorney told the WDSU I-Team that his client is not charged with illegally using his campaign funds and that neither had been aware of the allegation prior to Thursday.

"He's not charged with that," Robert Jenkins said. "It's not in the indictment and I'm surprised it was in the plea agreement (for Whitmer)."

Jenkins was also surprised to learn that a member of the U.S. Attorney's Office was on the trip.

"This is the first time this issue has come to light. We had never heard this before," he said.

Harper, who describes himself as an avid skiier, told WDSU that he was aware the trip was organized by Broussard. He said his payment to take part was made to a travel agency and that the event was billed as a "tax and ski seminar" -- not a fundraiser.

Harper said he never knowingly made a campaign contribution to Broussard.

More than 150 people went on the trip, according to Harper. WDSU contacted several participants, each of whom said they also paid a travel agent and were unaware the trip was a fundraiser for Broussard.

Letten said his office does believe Broussard used political contributions to pay for the getaways -- in violation of federal law -- but does not think his deputy was aware of the campaign connection. He said he does not expect the matter to affect the case against Broussard.

Harper is not directly involved with the Broussard prosecution. Trial is set for May but could be delayed following the recent revelation that Broussard is battling prostate cancer.